New BSO Authorization Pilot Opportunity!

We are excited to announce the pilot of our new Authorization Process for Business Services Online (BSO)! Social Security is piloting an authorization process that makes it easier for business entities to fully manage user access, while streamlining and improving the authorization experience.

Before launching to the entire wage reporting community, we are seeking participants to pilot the new Authorization Process for BSO. This is a valuable opportunity to help shape the future of BSO by providing feedback on the process's features and functionality.

Benefits of Participating:

• Get early access to BSO’s new authorization process.
• Provide direct input into its development.
• Receive dedicated support during the pilot.
• Retain access to the new authorization process for the full rollout in the future.

Your participation and feedback will help us ensure the process meets user needs and operates smoothly. Join us in shaping the future of BSO!

Who Can Participate:

• Responsible Entity Officer (REO)
• Delegated Users - users delegated by the REO (e.g., Entity Business Administrator (EBA) and users further designated to perform a service on behalf of the entity.

To be eligible, the entity’s REO must participate.

If the REO successfully registers, the REO may delegate other individuals to act on behalf of the entity, which may include the ability to delegate responsibilities to additional users. The REO can perform all tasks within the application and is not required to delegate responsibilities to other users. Delegated users may include third-party submitters if designated by the REO (or a delegated user with such authority).

Are you an REO?

The Responsible Entity Officer (REO), as defined by Social Security, is an individual who is authorized to execute agreements on behalf of the entity that are legally binding and enforceable.

Some examples of REO positions may include:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Director & Senior Manager
• Board of Director or Authorized Board Member
• Employee with Power of Attorney
• Owner of an LLC
• General or limited partner of a Partnership
• Business Owner (Sole Proprietorship)
• Individual who has control over the church’s funds or assets

If you are not an REO, please share this information with the appropriate person within your organization.

Please note, the list above is not authoritative (i.e., it may be overinclusive or underinclusive). According to IRC section 6103(e)(1), only individuals with a “material interest” in the EIN may access tax return information. IRS policy, as outlined in an Internal Revenue Manual (IRM), provides specific criteria for determining who qualifies as having “material interest,” particularly in the context of partnerships, corporations, or subsidiaries of corporations.

Delegated User:

An REO may assign the individual to a designated role.

• Entity Business Administrator (EBA) - assigned by the REO to administer roles and services to an individual or a service provider.
• Entity Service Administrator (ESA) - assigned by an REO or EBA to manage and delegate a subset of services to service users.
• Service User (SA) - authorized to use a service on behalf of an organization.

Requirements:

The REO and any delegated individuals must have an ID.me or Login.gov account prior to participating in the pilot.

Note: The registration and authentication process for BSO can take up to two weeks to complete.

How to Participate:

The pilot will be open from January 10, 2026, through February 2, 2026.

To participate and share your feedback, visit the BSO Welcome Page after January 10, 2026.

Participation in this pilot will be without compensation and Social Security will require all participants to confirm that participation will be provided without expectation of payment and to waive any future claims against Social Security or the Federal government.

Use of any of the submitted feedback in later-published training material gives Social Security a no-cost, perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive license to use such feedback in any form the Social Security Administration wishes in later-published training materials.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help shape the future of BSO Wage Reporting!

Resources:

• Questions and Answers
• Meeting Presentation